Europe
The Labour Party set out plans for new approach to social cohesion
Ed Miliband, the leader of the UK’s opposition, has set out plans to increase integration in UK society, stating assimilation and ignorance are “wrong”. The IPF was there to hear the keynote speech; following figures released last week showing fewer than half of Londoners consider themselves white British. In the speech, Miliband said that English language proficiency, housing laws on exploitative landlords and exclusive recruitment agencies were issues that needed to be addressed. Conceding previous governments’ failures and acknowledging people’s anxieties on immigration, the Labour leader said the UK was one of the last countries in Europe to have real plan for integration.
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Russian foreign ministry: Position on Syria will never change
Russian officials have said that its relationship with Syria will never change. It follows comments made yesterday by the Deputy Foreign Minister that rebel forces in Syria may defeat the al-Assad regime as the government is “loosing more and more control and territory”. Mikhail Bogdanov said in a statement that such an outcome would be ‘unfortunate’. The situation continues to escalate as the U.S. agrees to send patriot missiles to Turkey, for their defence. Russia has been criticised for its relationship with Syria; earlier this year they used their veto at the UN Security Council to block sanctions and have been caught by the UK and Turkey exporting military goods to the Syrian Government. The official also expressed potential plans to facilitate an evacuation for Russian citizens in the region.
Africa
One day to go: Egypt rallies ahead of referendum
The referendum on a draft constitution, instigated by President Mohammed Morsi, has sparked supporters and opponents to rally the day before it begins. Opponents have criticised Mr. Morsi’s reforms, saying is staging an undemocratic administration and that the draft constitution doesn’t attend to the issues typified in the 2011 revolution. Supporters of Mr. Morsi’s reforms say they are essential to ensure a full transition. The referundum begins tomorrow and will finish next week.
World
UN fails on consensus for Internet laws
Canada and the US are amongst those who have declined to sign an internet treaty, which aimed for states to have equal rights to the governance of the internet. Currently, the Internet is wholly independent of governance and acts as an independent body. The UK and Australia also declined, saying they object to parts of the treaty relating to “human rights”. Many other countries are still in deliberations over the matter. Treaties concerning the issues have not been amended for nearly a quarter of a century.
Latin America
Hugo Chavez has ‘complications’ in surgery
The President of Venezueala has suffered complications during cancer surgery, his communications minister has said. Mr. Chavez is said to be doing well but recovering slowly from Tuesday’s operation. It is the fourth operation for Mr. Chavez this year. The Vice President Nicolas Maduro has said that the President’s medical condition has gone from “stable” to “favourable”.
Asia
North Korea stage rally after rocket launch success
The totalitarian state, North Korea, held a mass rally in it’s capital Pyongyang in celebration of a satellite launch, via a rocket. Hundreds of thousands of people attended, which saw officials address the crowds. The launch was watched closely by the international community, who claim the launch is in breach of U.N. mandates and in theory could be used to facilitate nuclear missile launches in the future. Earlier this year state media reported that its previous attempt had failed.
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